2nd hand automatic recommendations/warnings

[Rdavies75]

Hi, I'm hoping for some opinions on buying a 2nd hand auto, max budget is £15k. The buyer was looking at a VW Golf mk 7, Mercedes A class (since gone off this due to maintenance costs), Audi A3 and similar. He's looking for decent MPG. Not bothered about a fun ride but would prefer a smooth comfortable ride and is looking to keep it for a few years if possible.

The problem is that a number of people have warned him off buying a car that has a DSG gearbox or a diesel and he doesn't want a hybrid (I know, the Auris 1.8 would be ideal), which doesnt leave a lot of choice. He's getting a bit confused because he's looking at reviews which say how good the car is then getting warned of a number of problems these cars have.

Is he right to be avoiding these cars or is he being led on a wild goose chase? Thanks in advance.

[Mineral1]

I spent 2k repairing a DSG gearbox last year then the car was written off three months later. I never got that money back so it was quite painful. But it was also a fantastic gearbox when it worked so

[stevemcs]

Personally I’d avoid the DSG, I’d also avoid the Focus with Powershift. What he wants is a Honda Civic. Second choice would be a118i BMW

[Condi]

All cars have problems, but generally the DSG isn't a bad box. The ZF boxes in BMWs are IMO the best.

[ZX10R NIN]

Rdavies75 said:

Hi, I'm hoping for some opinions on buying a 2nd hand auto, max budget is £15k. The buyer was looking at a VW Golf mk 7, Mercedes A class (since gone off this due to maintenance costs), Audi A3 and similar. He's looking for decent MPG. Not bothered about a fun ride but would prefer a smooth comfortable ride and is looking to keep it for a few years if possible.

The problem is that a number of people have warned him off buying a car that has a DSG gearbox or a diesel and he doesn't want a hybrid (I know, the Auris 1.8 would be ideal), which doesnt leave a lot of choice. He's getting a bit confused because he's looking at reviews which say how good the car is then getting warned of a number of problems these cars have.

Is he right to be avoiding these cars or is he being led on a wild goose chase? Thanks in advance.

Dual Clutch Gearboxes do have issues & they can be costly but in general they work well.

There are some very good conventional auto options, I'd still have the fluid & filter changed on these.

Astra Elite Nav:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302244...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304035...

V40 Insription:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302084...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303034...

[Deerfoot]

I'm on my third DSG, have put around 150,000 miles on them without issues.

The last two have been out of warranty by years with no issues.

[dunc69]

I have had numerous DSG ‘boxes with no issues so far over probably 250-300k miles in total.

Just make sure you maintain them correctly and you should be okay.

As said above, they do drive really nicely.

[Whataguy]

Some of the early dsg cars had issues, but with your budget you should be in something newer without problems.

I've owned an auris and v40 and am currently in a golf, which I'd say is the best.

If you were going to keep the car 10+ years then an auris hybrid is just a prius underneath so would still be running, but many people change cars before they get that old.

My dsg is one of the 'sealed for life' ones, so I expect 80k miles before it's worn out. The car will be changed by then, and still under vw extended warranty, so not an issue.

Some of the dsg gearboxes have a 40k oil service interval, I'd expect those to last a good few years longer life - maybe 150k.

The golf 1.5 dsg is a great engine and gearbox, I get within 10% mpg of both the auris hybrid and v40 diesel I owned. Mid forties on my 20k a year mostly motorway miles.

Edited by Whataguy on Sunday 16th April 06:40